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GCHQ’s excellence in languages has been recognised with an invitation to become the first Language Partner of the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL).

The partnership was formally launched at a week-long event celebrating languages at GCHQ at the end of September. CIOL CEO, Ann Carlisle attended the event and gave a talk to staff on the current language landscape, as well as giving an insight into her own background using language.

The partnership reinforces the importance to GCHQ of investing in staff throughout their career. GCHQ linguists will be able to participate in CIOL professional development workshops and other events, as well as working towards CIOL professional qualifications.

GCHQ’s Head of Languages welcomed the announcement. He said:

"GCHQ and the Chartered Institute of Linguists have developed an increasingly close working relationship. The Institute has an important role in verifying and accrediting GCHQ’s language testing and assessments, and levels of Institute membership within GCHQ’s language community have increased.

"In light of this, and as part of the Institute’s celebration of the 10th anniversary of being granted its Charter, the Institute has invited GCHQ to become its first ‘Language Partner’ in recognition of GCHQ’s profile as a key employer of linguists.

"The Language Partner status, and the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two organisations, is an exciting step forward, giving GCHQ’s highly skilled and dedicated linguists more and varied professional development opportunities, the chance to aim for externally and nationally-recognised professional qualifications and the opportunity for GCHQ’s linguists to participate at varying grades of membership up to and including Member status of the Institute."

Ann Carlisle said:

"I’m delighted to launch this new initiative which will enable us to work more closely alongside organisations who share similar strategic objectives. In linking with GCHQ as our first partner we are highlighting the need for diversity in language learning and the importance of professional qualifications."

Linguists at GCHQ work across a wide range of languages to support all aspects of GCHQ’s Mission, including counter terrorism, serious crime and support to military operations.